China dismisses Aquino's remarks on sea disputes as ridiculous, unreasonable

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Wednesday dismissed the remarks of Philippine President Benigno Aquino III on the South China Sea disputes and urged him to stop his provocation.

"I'm shocked about such ridiculous and unreasonable comments and strongly oppose them," Spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a daily press briefing.

Aquino compared China to Nazi Germany with regard to the two countries' territorial disputes in the South China Sea and called on the United States to play a role in stopping China's rising might in his speech during the Japan tour earlier Wednesday.

Citing various historical facts, Hua said it is the Philippines who colluded with countries outside the region and smeared China for its own interests.

The Philippines has illegally occupied some of China's islands in the South China Sea since the 1970s and its stranded warship near the Ren'ai Reef has served as an installation since 1999 in an attempt to seize the reef, Hua said.

In 2012, the Philippines dispatched military vessels to disrupt regular fishing activities by Chinese fishermen in waters off the Huangyan Island.

The Philippines also violated its commitment in the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and the consensus reached by the two sides by unilaterally filing an arbitration case in 2013, according to Hua.

She warned the Philippines to give up illusion, stop such provocation, and go back to the right track of negotiation and consultation.

China is a responsible country keeping its promises and is committed to resolving disputes through direct negotiation with relevant countries. The Chinese government holds firm resolution to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, Hua added.
   Source: Xinhua - globaltimes.cn
3/6/15
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• Chinese ambassador warns US against South China Sea situation

• Philippine President Benigno Aquino made a veiled comparison on Wednesday between China's activities in the South China Sea and Nazi Germany's expansionism before World War Two, echoing similar remarks he made last year that outraged Beijing....

Aquino, who is expected to agree beefed up defense ties with Japan when he meets Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday, also urged Beijing to rethink its land reclamation projects in the disputed waters.

China has been taking an increasingly assertive posture in recent years in the South China Sea, building artificial islands in areas where Manila and other Southeast Asian countries have rival claims.
 JPOST.COM BY REUTERS
 3/6/15